Vacuflush Question for Peggy

[Jeff]

Peggy,Is the holding tank vent normally large enough to allow the pressure from the vacuflush to be released.I have a situation where my valve to empty the holding tank is closed. There are two hoses just past this valve, one to the deck pump out and one to a macerator to pump the tank overboard. I keep the thruhaul closed from the macerator for the overboard and I am getting pressure between the macerator and this thruhaul. After using the vacuflush for awhile the pressure causes waste to spew from the vented loop that is between the macerator and thruhaul. I don't believe the vent from the tank is clogged but I haven't done a thorough test of it yet. The boat is only 3 months old.Jeff

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

There is no pressure from a VacuFlush

In fact, just the opposite...the pump "vacuums" all the air out of the system between the toilet and the pump and holds that negative pressure until the seal in the bottom of the bowl is broken by flush flushing the toilet...the accumulated suction pulls the waste through the system. Whatever is causing your problem, the toilet has nothing to do with it...it would happen with any toilet...in fact, would be worse with any other toilet because pumping a toilet builds pressure, whereas the VacuFlush does just the opposite.My guess is, your tank vent is clogged. No matter what kind of toilet is connected to a holding tank, air displaced by incoming waste has to go somewhere. It SHOULD go out the vent...but if it can't, it'll get out wherever it can (that is, IF it can...when it has NO place to go, other "interesting" things can happen)...in your case, out the vented loop. Doesn't matter how new the boat is, btw...a clog can happen in the first 15 minutes.

 

[Jeff]

Thanks Peggy

I will be on the boat this weekend and will check the vent out really good.I appreciate the quick response.Jeff